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But players of the calibre of Tom Hardwick, Joe Heyes, Sam Lewis, Tommy Reffell and Jake Kerr have all made the step up into the first team squad this season - and all have shown why they are so well thought of at Welford Road.

They should figure in the next few weeks, too, as the Premiership Cup takes centre stage, but interim head coach Geordan Murphy knows that all of them can be relied on if given the call, whatever the competition.

Joe Heyes has featured in the Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Cup. Picture - Tiger Images

"I have been really impressed by the whole age group system at the club," Murphy said. "The academy system is doing a great job moving some quality players and quality people through to the side.

"They work really hard when they are not in the side. They want to get better and they want to improve themselves and they want to assist the development of the team."

He added: "It's really refreshing. They are young men and are competing on the top stage and hopefully they will learn a lot from that experience.

"You need a bit of fortune going your way to get the opportunity but you have to seize it with both hands and all the guys who have been given opportunities have done a really good job."

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Scrum-half Ben Youngs, who is now in camp with England, also likes what he sees of the current crop.

"I get to see them every day and what they bring. I can see how they do every day," he said. "They are really throwing themselves into it they have got a taste of it and you can see that they want more.

"I'm really pleased for those guys because I have seen how hard they have worked for a number of years to get that opportunity and now they are starting to get that they have a taste for it and have the bit between their teeth."